Wee Waa

Postcode: 2388

Wee Waa (pronounced "Wee War") is a town of approximately 2500 people located in central northern New South Wales, Australia in Narrabri Shire Council. It is located on the Namoi River and lies 571 kilometres northwest of Sydney on the Kamilaroi Highway. Wee Waa is the oldest established town in this area and is the birthplace of the commercial cotton industry in Australia. It claims the title "Cotton Capital of Australia". It was in Wee Waa police station that Eddie Murray was killed in 1981, one of the Aboriginal deaths in custody that prompted a Royal Commission to be set up to investigate them. To protect it from floods, the entire town is protected by a levy bank. The town has a multi-function Sports Complex, which acts as a de facto Community centre.

The town of Wee Waa has a population of 2,000, and services a far greater rural community as well as the villages of Burren Junction, Pilliga and Gwabegar. The majority of this area is rich fertile country well suited to the agricultural pursuits that sustain the district and provide its people with a quality way of life.

The Aboriginal meaning of Wee Waa is "Fire for Roasting", and it was the first town on the Namoi River, having had its beginnings in 1837. The birthplace of Australia's modern cotton industry, in April the area transforms into snowy white profusion from horizon to horizon as the cotton harvest gets under way. The town has 2 motels, 4 schools, a preschool, ABC Learning Centre, 2 hotels and Caravan Park as well as fine eating-places, a swimming pool, picturesque 9-hole golf course, bowling club, tennis courts, a modern sporting complex, a hostel for the aged and a new medical centre pictured above.

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